Document 1: Iowa ERA Coalition,
"The Iowa Equal Rights Amendment: What It Is and What It Is Not,"
1980. Folder: ERA -- Original Materials, Box 7, Iowa ERA Coalition Collection,
Iowa Women's Archives, University of Iowa.

Introduction

In this mass-mailed letter, the Coalition included selected quotations from
prominent government officials in states that had already passed Equal Rights
Amendments. The comments made by these officials undermined many of the arguments
publicized by anti-ERA groups, including the fear that the ERA would lead
to the abolition of sex-segregated public restrooms. The brochure emphasizes
the legal and not the social implications of the proposed amendment. The coalition
used state officials as neutral observers of the struggle for equal rights
in order to assuage citizens that the ERA was not merely a feminist agenda,
but a document to improve the legal status of women.

THE
IOWA EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT

What
It Is and What It Is Not

The
Iowa Equal Rights Amendment is a proposed amendment to Section I, Article
I of the Iowa State Constitution which would guarantee equality of rights
under the law for all the citizens of the state. It is a way for Iowa
to provide this guarantee for its own people. It is not related
to the Federal ERA which the Iowa Legislature ratified in 1972.

The
state amendment was first introduced into the Iowa Legislature in 1977
and, having passed two successive General Assemblies, is on the ballot
for all the people to vote on next November.

The
amendment reads as follows: (New language italicized.)

All
men and women are by nature free and equal and have certain inalienable
rights -- among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty,
acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining
safety and happiness.

Neither
the state nor any of its political subdivisions shall, on the basis
of gender, deny or restrict the equality of rights under the law.

This
is a statement of legal principle and has nothing to do with personal
and social relationships. It does not make men and women
the same. It does give them equal protection.

The
Constitution serves as a framework for all the laws of the state and as
a standard against which governmental action must be judged.

The
Equal Rights Amendment provides a guarantee, not only for ourselves, but
for our sons and daughters, against discriminatory legislation and governmental
action.

It
is because equality is as important a right of citizenship as freedom of
religion and freedom of the press that it should be incorporated, along
with these other inalienable rights, into the Constitution.

315 E. Fifth
Street / Des Moines, Iowa 50309 / 515 244-0012

Much
of the opposition to an Equal Rights Amendment arises from misinformation
about what the effects of an Equal Rights Amendment would be.

We
are fortunate in this case that we can look to some states that have already
had experience with a state equal rights amendment. Following are statements
from four states that have amended their constitutions in the same way that
is being proposed for Iowa.

Daniel
J. Evans, Governor, State of Washington

"I
am aware of no classification of 'privileges' which a woman has lost because
of adoption of the ERA . . . The accusations concerning integration of
facilities are so ridiculous, we in Washington have ceased to reply to
them. Rights and privacy remain fully protected in this state . . . The
passage of the Equal Rights Amendment has brought Washington State a new
commitment to the right of equal treatment for all our citizens."

Milton
J. Shapp, Governor, State of Pennsylvania

"One
particularly significant accomplishment under the ERA has been the recognition
in economic terms of the contribution of homemakers... I am happy to report
that none of the disastrous consequences feared by some ERA opponents
has occurred in this state."

Jerry
Apodaca, Governor, State of New Mexico

"I
cannot see that any provision which insures equality under the law can
adversely affect any legitimate legal rights or privileges; sexual integration
of public facilities has not been mandated; and implementation has not
been unwieldly or excessively costly. The ERA, which is actually a human
rights amendment, is a very necessary instrument through which we can
guarantee that equality under the law exists."

Ellen
Luff, Counsel, State of Maryland

1)
"Maryland women have not lost rights and privileges because of
the Equal Rights Amendment; 2) the Legislature has not mandated
sexual integration of public restrooms, prison cells or sleeping quarters
of public institutions and 3) implementation has been neither costly
nor unwieldly . . . it is unfortunate that the ERA opponents in various
places have been able to make such an effective stand based on such obviously
false statements."

It
is in keeping with Iowa's proud tradition of concern for fairness and justice
in its laws that this important human rights amendment to the state constitution
was proposed. It is in this same spirit that we believe that the people
of Iowa will vote YES on the Equal Rights Amendment at the polls on November
4th.